Information Minister Commends Compendium Project Showcasing Nigeria’s Vast Economic, Tourism Potentials

The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strategically project Nigeria’s economic, cultural, and tourism potentials to the global community through a comprehensive national compendium documenting opportunities across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Minister stated this when he received a delegation from the Nigerian Press Council (NPC), led by its Executive Secretary, Dr. Dili Ezughah, on a courtesy visit to Radio House on Tuesday, to brief him on preparations for the official launch of the national publication scheduled for June 17, 2026, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

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Speaking during the meeting, the Minister commended the Nigerian Press Council and its partners for conceptualising what he described as a timely and strategic national project aimed at showcasing Nigeria beyond negative narratives.

“This project is important because it highlights the enormous economic and tourism potential of our country at a time when some people focus only on negative narratives about Nigeria. What you are doing is helping to showcase the rich opportunities that abound across the 36 states and the FCT,” the Minister said.

Idris noted that the initiative aligns strongly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, especially the administration’s ongoing efforts to diversify the economy through tourism, culture, investment promotion, and the expansion of the non-oil sector.

“We are not just known for oil; we are known for our rich culture, our tourism assets, and the immense opportunities spread across this country. President Tinubu understands the importance of culture and tourism in national development, which is why this administration has continued to give the sector renewed attention and focus,” he stated.

The Minister further praised the collaboration between the Nigerian Press Council, the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, and other stakeholders involved in the project, describing it as a reflection of the government’s commitment to partnership-driven national development.

“The President is opening up the economic base of Nigeria beyond oil, and the increasing international interest in our non-oil sector is a clear indication that the Renewed Hope Agenda is yielding positive results. This kind of documentation is essential because it provides investors and the international community with credible information about Nigeria’s economic strengths and opportunities,” he added.

Idris also assured the delegation of the full support of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation towards the successful hosting of the launch event, while commending Vice President Kashim Shettima for giving the project national visibility and institutional backing.

“The Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation is fully ready to support this national project because it will help reposition Nigeria positively before the global community. We also appreciate the personal interest of the Vice President in ensuring that this initiative succeeds as a truly national undertaking,” the Minister said.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Press Council, Dr Dili Ezughah, informed the Minister that the project was conceived following consultations aimed at promoting collaboration among government institutions to project Nigeria positively to the world.

“This project was inspired by the need to synergise efforts across government institutions to project Nigeria positively, and we are pleased that the Vice President has endorsed it as a national initiative. We have made substantial progress and are now at the final stage ahead of the official launch,” he said.

Dr. Ezughah explained that the publication would serve as strategic reference material for investors, diplomatic missions, development partners, chambers of commerce, and Nigerians in the diaspora, providing detailed economic and tourism information on every state of the federation.

Also speaking, the Lead Consultant for the project, Mr Tajudeen Toyin-oke, disclosed that the compendium contains comprehensive profiles of all the states and the FCT, including information on investment opportunities, tourism assets, mineral resources, population data, infrastructure, and business incentives.

“The compendium captures the economic and tourism profiles of all the 36 states and the FCT, including investment opportunities, tax incentives, mineral resources, and tourism assets for both local and international investors. It is designed to become a global reference document for anyone seeking credible information about Nigeria,” he said.

In his remarks, the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Dr. Ola Awakan, described the initiative as a major step towards promoting Nigeria’s rich tourism and cultural heritage to the international community. “Nigeria is a microcosm of stories with enormous tourism potential, and this project will help change the negative narratives about our country while showcasing our strengths to the world. It aligns perfectly with the mandate of the NTDA and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu,” he said.

Information Minister

The delegation also informed the Minister that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to write the foreword to the publication, while Vice President Kashim Shettima will write the preface. The launch is expected to attract governors, members of the diplomatic corps, investors, development partners, and key stakeholders from across the country and beyond.

Also, in attendance at the meeting were the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Dr. Binyerem C. Ukaire; Director, Public Communications and National Orientation, Barr. Henshaw Ogubike; Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Dr. Ola Awakan; Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Press Council (NPC), Dr. Dili Ezughah; Deputy Director, Public Relations and Protocol Department, Ms. Folasade Fatoke; as well as other senior officials from the Ministry and members of the project team.

Rabiu Ibrahim, mnipr
Special Assistant, Media, to the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation.